Parents wrongly believe that children have a choice in choosing friends in government schools. No, No, No! It is the clique ( gang) that chooses the child! Parents fail to understand that government schools cliques in school serve the exact same purpose as prison protection gangs. These cliques must discriminate if they are going to protect themselves and maintain the integrity of the protective group.
Parents whose kids seem to get through government school reasonably intact will say, "My child graduated first in her/his class and was offered $750,000 in scholarships!" Well...Good for him or her! He was smart enough, good looking enough, and had the money for just the right clothes to be selected to join one of the better cliques ( protection gangs). Those who aren't smart enough, smooth enough, handsome enough, or rich enough for the right clothes get picked up the less savory cliques ( protection gangs). Faddish clothing, by the way, serves the same purpose in schools as do gang colors or prison tattoos. Clothing styles identify the clique ( school prison gang).
The truth is that most of the "socialization" learned in government schools is prison survival skills. Nearly all of it must be unlearned for success in the adult world of work, family, and community. Thankfully humans are adaptable and most make the transition. Sadly, some don't.